LOS ANGELES (AFP) - It is a long way from the rough streets of south Los Angeles to becoming the world's richest hip hop star.

But that is the path likely set to be taken by Andre Young - better known as Dr Dre - helped by some very cool headphones.

The 49-year-old rapper turned producer and entrepreneur would top Forbes' hip hop rich list after striking a US$3.2 billion (S$3.9 billion) deal to sell Apple the company he co-founded eight years ago, Beats Electronics.

The agreement, which has not yet been finalized, would boost his net worth to some US$800 million, according to Forbes. Some reports suggest Dre could soon become the world's first hip-hop billionaire.